(5) INTRODUCTION TO MEDITATION (Dhyana):

Patanjali Yoga Sutra’s Sadhana Pada (practice section) puts Yamas, Niyamas, Asanas and pranayams in TAPAS (Practice) group. Pratyahar and Dharana are in second group of SWADHYAYA. In third group are Dhyana (Meditation) and Samadhi (the Bliss), called ISWARA PRANIDHAN which means total surrender to God. Dhyana (Meditation) is entrance to Samadhi, the total Bliss but Meditation itself is through Pratyahara and Dharana.

Dhyana (Meditation) is not concentration of mind but in Dharana (which means wearing of an idea in mind & heart) the seeker must try to deeply concentrate on object of desire, one seeks and pushing away from mind all other thoughts entering into the mind. Therefore Dhyana (Meditation) is contemplation and deep reflection on the object of desire with continuous steadiness without break. Here mental and chronological sense of time disappears in Dhyana. A seeker must try to enter in this state of Dhyana during practice of Asanas and Pranayams too because peace and tranquillity of mind is the objective of the practice.

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Learned have greatly elaborated Sadhna-Pada of Patanjali Yoga Sutra into very much detailed and intricate form which is known as Yoga at present. There are rare people who inherit first five steps of Sadhana from previous births and they enter through Dharana into seventh stage of Yoga i.e. Dhyana (Meditation) and then into final stage Samadhi (Kaivalya).

I advise seekers that they should not expect any miracles to happen to them or they themselves can perform any by practicing Asana, Prana yama and Dhyana because there are no miracles in the Universe, our ignorance make them.

Now here a procedure for Meditation is suggested. But if you read Plato’s book Phaedo on Socrates, you will read in it that how Socrates used to go into Meditation and Samadhi while sitting, walking and even talking.

A guidance to ‘Sense of Well-Being’ is the objective of this entire practice however if a seeker further advances ahead than this one; then it would be the intelligence of the seeker that crosses the turbidity of delusions of physical and psychological boundaries of being and enters into spiritual boundary that seeker will also enter into the Bliss of Meditation without knowing it.

Now for Meditation sit down in a quiet, ventilated and mildly lit place on your prayer mat which should not be too high or too low, in Sukhasana or Siddhasana or Padmasana, which ever is comfortable, in a Gyan or Swastic Mudra in erect position. Looking at nose tip close your eyes and bring your mind to concentrate at a point between your eye brows. Let all types of thoughts travel through your brain but start rejecting negative thoughts and let your mind hold on to your main positive thought of the objective of your contemplation. It may be of God. Breath slowly and deeply only from your nose keeping mouth closed and order from your mind to remain silent and inactive all of your ten Indriyas (sense & action organs). Here first concentrate on the object of your Meditation and slowly but by regular practice, the concentration will turn into contemplation, then into meditation. Try to meditate daily at least for fifteen minutes. After your contemplation and meditation period, come back to Samsara and slowly pass your both palms gently over your face and open eyes. This is introduction to Meditation that will give you real experience of ‘sense of well-being’.

IN PRAISE OF MEDITATION:

If I use all the invented words of praise, they will hardly praise anything that is experienced in Meditation. Meditation qualifies seeker to receive ‘Grace’ from Supreme Spirit to enter into Samadhi. But when that grace will be granted to the seeker is not known. One who practices Meditation earnestly stands out amongst people in all that one undertakes due to one’s peaceful, logical, fearless and tranquil mind. All those who are around or in association with such a one will also feel happiness and motivation in life. The guidance to ‘Sense of Well-Being’ is a practical tool to all without any bars, to arrive at one’s own chosen destination in life.